VOLVO V70 2008 Owners Manual
Page 101 of 274
automatic  transmission fluid.
Keyless drive (option)
Follow steps 3-4 for starting the engine.
 NOTE 
For the vehicle to start, one  of the vehicle's remote keys must  be  in the passenger  compartment.
Steering wheel  lock
The steering wheel lock is deactivated when the remote key  is inserted into the ignition slot
1 and  activated when the
remote key  is removed from  the ignition slot.
Always take the remote key  or keyless  drive remote when leaving  the vehicle to help reduce the risk of theft.
1 On vehicles with  the optional keyless  drive, the steering  lock is deactivated  when  the start button  is pressed for  the first time  (assuming that a
remote  control is in  the passenger's compartment).  It is activated when  the ignition is switched  off  and the driver's door is opened.
111 03 Your driving  environment
Starting the engine
Jump  starting
Follow these instructions to jump start your vehicle's dead battery or to jump start another vehicle's dead battery using
your vehicle. If the 12-volt auxiliary battery to be  used is in another vehicle, check that the vehicles are not touching to
prevent premature completion of a  circuit. Be sure to follow jump starting instructions provided for the other vehicle.
To jump start your vehicle:
1. Switch off the ignition (set  the ignition to mode 0, see page 80
).
2. First connect the red jumper cable to the auxiliary battery's positive (+) terminal 
.
3. Fold back the cover over the positive (+) terminal on your vehicle's battery 
, marked with a  "+"  sign, located
under a  folding cover.
4. Connect the black jumper cable to the auxiliary battery's negative (-) terminal 
and  to the ground point in your
vehicle's engine compartment (right engine mount at the top, on the outer screw) 
.
5. Start the engine in the assisting  vehicle, then start the engine in the vehicle with dead battery.
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6. After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal jumper cable (black). Then remove the positive
(+) terminal jumper cable (red).
 WARNING 
PROPOSITION  65 WARNING!
Battery  posts, terminals, and  related accessories contain  lead and  lead compounds, chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer and  reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
 CAUTION 
Connect the jumper cables carefully to avoid short circuits  with other components in the engine compartment.
 WARNING 
 Do not connect the jumper cable to any  part of the fuel system or to any  moving parts.  Avoid touching hot
manifolds.
 Batteries generate  hydrogen gas, which  is flammable and  explosive.
 Battery  fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted  surfaces. If
contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately with water. Obtain medical help immediately if eyes are affected.
 Never  expose the battery to open  flame or electric  spark.
 Do not smoke near the battery.
 Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to injury.
112 03 Your driving  environment
Transmission
Automatic transmission
Depress the button on the front  of the gear selector knob to move the gear selector between the R , N, D, and  P
positions.
The gear selector can be  moved freely between the Geartronic (manual shifting) and  Drive ( D) positions while driving.
Park position (P)
Select  the P  position when starting or parking.
1
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The  information display (see page 74)  shows the gear selector's position or the selected gear by displaying  the following:  P, R, N, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6.
Keylock
To remove the remote key  from  the ignition slot,  the gear selector must  be  in the P position. The remote key  is locked
in the slot  in all other positions.
Shiftlock
When P  has been selected, the transmission is mechanically blocked in this  position. The brake pedal must  be
depressed  before the gear lever can be  moved from  the P  position.
Always apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked, see page 119
. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional
electric  parking brake, press the control to apply the brake, see page 119
.
 CAUTION 
The vehicle must  be  stationary  when position P  is selected.
Reverse  (R)
The vehicle must  be  stationary  when position R  is selected.
Neutral position (N)
No gear is engaged and  the engine can be  started with the gear selector in this  position. Apply the parking brake if the
vehicle is stationary  with the gear selector in position N .
113 03 Your driving  environment
Transmission
Drive (D)
D is the normal driving position. The car automatically  shifts between the various  forward gears, based on the level  of
acceleration and  speed. The car must  be  at a  standstill when shifting from  position R  to position D.
Sport (S)
1
Sport mode offers more immediate engine response and  allows the transmission to shift up at higher rpm.
To access Sport mode ( S), move the gear selector to the right from  Drive ( D). The information display will change
from  D  to S.
Sport mode can be  selected at any  time.
Geartronic-manual shifting
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Geartronic allows you to manually shift among your vehicle's six forward speeds. Geartronic can be  selected at any
time.
 To access the manual  (M) shifting position from  Drive ( D), move the gear selector to the right to M  (or to S on
models equipped with Sport mode).
1Available on models with  6- cylinder turbo engines only.
 NOTE 
On models equipped with Sport mode, the transmission will not switch to manual  shifting mode until the gear
selector is moved forward or rearward. The selected gear will then be  shown in the information display (see page
74).
 To return to the D  position from  M or S , move the gear selector to the left.
While  driving
 If you select the M  position while driving, the gear that was being used in the Drive position will also initially be
selected in the M  position.
 Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a  higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a  lower
gear.
 If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one  gear at a  time and  will utilize the
braking power of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a  lower gear, the downshift will not occur until
the speed has decreased  enough  to allow the lower gear to be  used.
 If you slow to a  very low speed, the transmission will automatically  shift down.
Shiftlock - Neutral ( N)
If the gear selector is in the N  position and  the vehicle has been stationary  for at least 3 seconds (irrespective of
whether the engine is running)  then the gear selector is locked.
To be  able to move the gear selector from  N  to another gear position, the brake pedal must  be  depressed  and  the
ignition must  be  in position II , see page 80
.
Shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be  driven, for example because of a  dead battery, the gear selector must  be  moved from  the P
position so that the vehicle can be  moved
2.
 Lift away the rubber mat on the floor  of the storage compartment behind the center  console and  open  the hatch.
2If the battery  is dead, the optional electric  parking brake cannot be  applied  or released. Connect  an  auxiliary  battery  if the battery  voltage  is too
low, see page 111
.
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114 03 Your driving  environment
Transmission
 Insert the key  blade into the opening as far as possible. Press the key  blade down and  keep it held down. Move the
gear selector from  the P  position. For information on the key  blade, see page 52
.
All Wheel Drive - AWD
1
Your Volvo can be  equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which  means that power is distributed automatically
between the front  and  rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, most  of the engine's power is directed to the front
wheels. However, if there is any  tendency for the front  wheels to spin, an  electronically  controlled coupling distributes
power to the wheels that have the best traction.
 NOTE 
The message AWD  disabled Service required  will be  appear in the information display if an  electrical fault should
occur in the AWD system. A warning light will also illuminate in the instrument panel. If this  occurs, have the
system checked by a  trained and  authorized Volvo service technician.
1Standard  on certain models.
115 03 Your driving  environment
Brakes
Brake system
The brake system is a  hydraulic system consisting of two separate brake circuits.  If a  problem should occur in one  of
these circuits,  it is still  possible to stop the vehicle with the other brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must  be  depressed  farther than normal and  requires greater foot pressure, the stopping  distance will
be  longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver that a  fault has occurred.
If this  light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and  check the brake fluid level  in the reservoir.
 NOTE 
Press the brake pedal hard and  maintain pressure on the pedal - do not pump the brakes.
 WARNING 
If the fluid level  is below  the MIN  mark in the reservoir or if a  brake system message is shown in the information
display: DO  NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed  to a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician and  have the
brake system inspected.
Power brakes function only when the engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure which  is only created  when the engine is running. Never  let the vehicle roll
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to a  stop with the engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, the brake pedal must  be  pressed approximately five times harder than usual to
make up for the lack of power assistance. This can happen for example when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads  affects braking
Driving in rain and  slush or passing through an  automatic  car wash can cause water to collect on the brake discs and
pads. This will cause a  delay in braking effect when the pedal is depressed.  To avoid such a  delay when the brakes are
needed, depress the pedal occasionally when driving through rain, slush, etc. This will remove the water from  the
brakes. Check that brake application  feels normal. This should also be  done  after washing or starting in very damp or
cold weather.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be  subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or hilly areas, or when towing a  trailer. Vehicle
speed is usually slower, which  means that the cooling of the brakes is less efficient than when driving on level  roads.
To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a  lower gear and  let the engine help with the braking. Do not forget that if
you are towing a  trailer, the brakes will be  subjected to a  greater than normal load.
Anti-lock braking system
The Anti-lock Braking System  (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and  steering) during severe braking
conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatically
modulated in order to help prevent lockup that could lead to a  skid.
The system performs a  self -diagnostic test when the engine is started and  when the vehicle first reaches a  speed of
approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and  a  sound may be  audible  from  the
ABS  control module. This is normal.
116 03 Your driving  environment
Brakes
Cleaning the brake discs
Coatings of dirt and  water on the brake discs may result in delayed brake function. This delay is minimized by
cleaning the brake linings.
Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet  weather, prior  to long-term parking, and  after the vehicle has been washed.
Do this  by braking gently for a  short period while the vehicle is moving.
Emergency Brake Assistance
EBA is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is activated
by the speed with which  the brake pedal is depressed.
When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and  pressure in the brake system immediately
increases to the maximum level.  Maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order to utilize the system completely.
EBA is automatically  deactivated when the brake pedal is released.
 NOTE 
 When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and  pressure in the brake system immediately
increases to the maximum level.  You must  maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order to utilize the system
completely.  There will be  no braking effect if the pedal is released. EBA is automatically  deactivated when the brake
pedal is released.
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 When the vehicle has been parked for some time, the brake pedal may sink more than usual when the engine is
started. This is normal and  the pedal will return to its  usual position when it is released.
Symbols in the instrument panel
 WARNING 
If 
 and   come on at the same time and  the brake level  is below  the MIN  mark in the reservoir or if a
brake system-related message is shown in the information display: DO  NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed  to a
trained and  qualified Volvo service technician and  have the brake system inspected.
117 03 Your driving  environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Introduction1
Normally, when the accelerator  pedal is released while driving down hills, the vehicle's speed slows as the engine runs
at lower rpm (the normal engine braking effect). However, if the downhill gradient becomes steeper and  if the vehicle
is carrying a  load, speed increases despite the engine braking effect. In this  situation,  the brakes must  be  applied  to
reduce the vehicle's speed.
HDC is a  type of automatic  engine brake and  makes it possible to increase or decrease  the vehicle's speed on downhill
gradients using only the accelerator  pedal, without applying the brakes. The brake system functions automatically  to
maintain a  low and  steady speed.
HDC is particularly useful  when driving down steep hills with rough surfaces, and  where  the road may have slippery
patches.
 WARNING 
HDC does not function in all situations, and  is a  supplementary braking aid. The driver has full responsibility  for
driving in a  safe manner.
1HDC is only  available on the XC70,  on which it  is standard  equipment.
Function
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 HDC can be  switched on and  off with the button in the center  console. An indicator light in the button illuminates
when HDC is activated.
 The indicator light  in the instrument panel illuminates  and  a  message is displayed when the system is
controlling the vehicle's speed.
 HDC only functions when first  or reverse gears are selected ( 1 will be  shown in the instrument panel display when
first gear is selected.).
 NOTE 
HDC cannot be  activated if the gear selector is the D  position.
Using  HDC
HDC allows the car to roll forward at a  maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h), and  4 mph (7 km/h) in reverse.
However, the accelerator  pedal can be  used to select any  speed that is possible in first or reverse  gears. When the
accelerator  pedal is released, speed is quickly reduced again to 6 mph (10 km/h) or 4 mph (7 km/h), depending on the
gear selected, regardless of the hill's gradient. It is not necessary  to apply the brakes.
 The brake lights illuminate automatically  when HDC is controlling the vehicle's speed.
 The driver can slow or stop the vehicle at any  time by applying the brakes.
HDC is deactivated when:
 The button on the center  console is pressed
 A gear higher than first gear is selected
D  is selected on vehicles with an  automatic  transmission
118 03 Your driving  environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
HDC can be  deactivated at any  time. If this  is done  while driving down a  steep hill, the system's braking effect will
decrease  gradually.
 NOTE 
Engine response to pressure on the accelerator  pedal may be  slightly  slower than normal when HDC is activated.
119 03 Your driving  environment
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Electric parking brake
Introduction
An electric  parking brake has the same function as a  manual  parking brake.
 NOTE 
 A faint sound from  the parking brake's electric  motor can be  heard when the parking brake is being applied.  This
sound can also be  heard during the automatic  function check of the parking brake.
 The brake pedal will move slightly  when the electric  parking brake is applied  or released.
Low battery voltage
If the battery voltage  is too low, the parking brake cannot be  applied  or released. Connect an  auxiliary battery if the
battery voltage  is too low, see page 111
.
Applying  the electric parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Press the control.
3. Release the brake pedal and  ensure that the vehicle is at a  standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selector must  be  in position P .
The 
 symbol  in the instrument panel flashes while the parking bake is being applied,  and  glows steadily when
the parking brake has been fully applied.
 NOTE 
 In an  emergency  the parking brake can be  applied  when the vehicle is moving by holding in the control. Braking
will be  interrupted when the accelerator  pedal is depressed  or the control is released.
 An audible  signal will sound during this  procedure if the vehicle is moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
Parking  on a hill
 If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front  wheels so that they point away from  the curb.
 If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the front  wheels so that they point toward the curb.
120 03 Your driving  environment
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Electric parking brake
Releasing the electric parking brake
Manual release
1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Insert the remote key  in the ignition slot.
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
4. Pull the parking brake control.
Vehicles with Keyless drive (option)
1. Press the START/STOP ENGINE button.
2. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
3. Pull the parking brake control.
Automatic release
1. Start the engine.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
 NOTE 
 For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically  if the engine is running and  the driver is
wearing a  seat belt.
 The electric  parking brake will be  released immediately when the accelerator  pedal is pressed and  the gear selector
is in position D  or P.
3. Move the gear selector to position D  or R and  press the accelerator  pedal. The parking brake will release when the
vehicle begins to move.
Heavy load uphill
A heavy load, such as a  trailer, can cause the vehicle to roll backward  when the parking brake is released
automatically  on a  steep incline. To help avoid this:
1. Keep the electric  parking brake lever pushed in with the left hand  while shifting into Drive with the right.
2. While  pressing the throttle pedal to pull away, release the parking brake lever only after the vehicle begins to move.
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